Cost Of Care - London Vet Clinic : London Vet Clinic

Safety and Efficiency – Minimal Intervention – Costs Explained

Safety and Efficiency

To provide the best possible care, we use the same state of the art diagnostic equipment that is used in human medicine. We treat your animal companions with the same laboratory, diagnostic and surgical equipment used in human medical clinics. All anaesthetised patients are monitored using the same multi-parameter monitoring machines used in human hospitals (ECG, end-tidal CO2, pulse oximetry, temperature and indirect blood pressure measurement). In 2023 and so far in 2024 we have invested an additional £150,000 ensuring that the facilities you visit and the equipment that we use to diagnose and treat your companions, all meet stringent safety and efficiency standards.

Newer technologies that depend on complex equipment, and those that are more time and labor-intensive are expensive. We understand this and are sensitive to how we can provide the best single technique or combination of imaging techniques to provide definitive answers for you at the lowest possible cost.

Minimal Intervention

Your companion has no say in what we decide should be done to diagnose or treat a condition. This makes it morally imperative that we – you and us – think carefully about what we plan to do. We will never put you or your companion through the stress of needless diagnostics or treatments. Just because something is possible doesn’t mean it’s in the best interests of your companion.

Costs Explained

It is not uncommon at some corporate-owned clinics for the costs of basic needs such as the quoted consultation or vaccination charges to be kept low. These ‘loss leaders’ are then compensated for by additional charges that are less visible.

We have never done this at the London Vet Clinic and never will. Our charge of £90 (£75 + £15 VAT) for a 20 minute consultation reflects the honest cost of the overheads of maintaining up to date facilities and paying staff the salaries they deserve.

For ongoing conditions Grant, Bruce, Jo, Stephen, Lana, Natalia or Isabel will discuss with you your pet’s condition and the possible options open to you. At the conclusion of the consultation, we can provide you with detailed estimates for these various diagnostic and treatment options. Our goal is to offer you the best possible care for your pet and to let you decide what is best for your pet and for your family.

Medicines

If you have private health insurance you may already know that medicines can be very costly. We are licensed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to keep and dispense medicines. Licensing includes keeping 24 hour a day records of temperatures (in fridges or on shelves) and having those records inspected, staff taking and passing exams on the dispensing of medicines, inventory turnover, environmentally safe disposal of medicines that are out of date and log books for certain medicines. For a small dispensary such as ours these are considerable expenses. We stock most drugs for your convenience but you will be able to purchase almost all of them cheaper from online veterinary pharmacies. If your companion is on a chronic medicine, for example to treat a heart or thyroid condition, we are happy to provide you with a repeat prescription. The cost is £24.75 including VAT. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) allows us to write prescriptions for a maximum of six months but tells us we must see our patients personally before extending drug treatment for longer than six months. This is an RCVS decision, not ours.

Pet Health Insurance

We encourage you to investigate the advantages or disadvantages of pet health insurance. Over 400 different policies are available. We are not licensed to give financial advice but generally speaking the higher the premium the more extensive the coverage.

You may consider investing monthly the equivalent of a typical premium in an interest bearing investment. Hopefully you’ll never need to withdraw from that investment but if your pet will benefit from advanced diagnostics or treatment you are pre-prepared.

Our vet nurses spend considerable time away from clinical work providing the documentation that insurers ask for when you make an insurance claim. We will liaise with your insurers as needed to provide the information they need to process claims.

Reviews

“Bruce Fogle and his excellent team have always gone above and beyond to care for my bouncy Betty. There have been some pretty hairy situations (including what turned out to be a swallowed ball) - and somehow the team remain calm, professional, and deliver the best care. The team have excellent bedside manner - explaining everything in clear detail whilst holding my hand and Betty's paw. I'm forever grateful.

Alice B-B

“Our dogs adore going to the vet so much it's almost ridiculous, invariably starting to squeal with excitement at any sign we're turning towards Marylebone and, on arrival, ejecting themselves from the car and dragging us through the door in their hurry to be fussed over by the lovely nurses. Bruce has been our vet since the day we brought our first puppy home in 2006. Together with the other fabulous vets, nurses, and staff at 86 York Street, they've seen our pets through it all, from their very first checks to the sad day when they've needed to be ushered kindly and gently out of pain. Over the years, they've removed a hiking sock from a dog's intestines, dealt with kennel cough, clipped nails, diagnosed giardia, cured a hamster's sniffles, sutured paws, spayed and neutered, referred to specialist vets when necessary, and helped us survive a phantom pregnancy. When one of our dogs was really ill, Helen was an absolute star, not only providing comfort and advice but moving heaven and earth to source a hard-to-get medication for her. And that's not even mentioning the routine stuff—dispensing behavioural guidance, worming tablets, vaccines, and dietary advice, all with empathy, calm professionalism, and good humour. London Vet Clinic is one of the few true, old-fashioned, independent vet practices left in London,and we're incredibly grateful to have our pets in their safe hands.

Jessica

stars

“Our Jack Russell puppy, Louis, had been quite unwell which led us needing to take several visits to the vet, often in quite fraught circumstances. The London Vet Clinic were always able to accommodate us, even at short notice putting our minds more at ease. The whole team there from the vets, nurses and receptionists were amazing and showed genuine care and concern for Louis. We always felt more at ease when we were there and knew that Louis was receiving the best care possible. Even under quite unpleasant circumstances, Louis learnt to associate the vet as a happy and positive place and whenever we go there now is always excited to see everyone. We couldn’t have made it through this tricky period without them. We are so lucky to have access to such an amazing team of people!

Louis

“I love the London Vet Clinic - everyone is always so lovely and accommodating. You can tell they really love animals which is very reassuring when you have to leave your pets in their care.

MSG

stars

“My Pug Queenie has been seen by a number of the Vets at the London Vet clinic, all were brilliant, they thoroughly explained all of the procedures that my dog would be having. I’m a first-time pug owner and I have very much appreciated all their help. Queenie’s had her spay & Boas surgery here. Jo was fantastic, she did the Boas, which has been highly successful, Queenie’s been coping well with the extreme heat we have been having. Highly recommended!

Queenie

stars

“Always friendly and super patient. Always willing to help, and willing to take the extra mile. Never over charge for anything. Very understanding and always shows support. Love the fact london vet clinic is involving animals charity works too.

Julie

stars

“Chop is our English Bulldog and she is quite lazy, but she is always enthusiastic to come along to see everyone at The London Veterinary Medicine Clinic as they are all so kind and make anything she needs doing an easy task. The Clinic keeps us informed of all the things we need to do to keep our dog healthy and when, in the past, she has had medical procedures, talk us through the options best for her. Thank you for your help!

Terry Newman

stars

“Well Jane and I have just left the vet today after bringing in our beautiful boy Bruno (a very naughty Jack Russell) Yet again we walked away saying how amazing these guys are at the London Vet Clinic. Generally Helen looks after our boy but everybody there is absolutely lovely. They all seem to be in the right job !! Caring, talented, sincere, friendly, knowledgeable and trustworthy. We are always happy to leave our wonderful dog there to be looked after.. actually last year he was really poorly with Gastroenteritis and they literally saved his life. Thank you all so much…Adam & Jane xx

Adam & Jane E

stars

“The best vet I have ever been. The staff are so nice and attentive. My dog loves going there, whichever of the doctors or the nurses are on duty the atmosphere is always so welcoming and nice. Next year will be my 10th year as a client.

Jenny P

stars

“We were so lucky to have been given London Vetinary Clinic as a recommendation when our first dog was a puppy and since then we have never been disappointed with the care and attention to detail we have received from all the vets there. They have always given us the most upfront advice and options when it comes to big decisions with our dogs health. Never forced views or treatments but given us all the options. It feels like you’re walking in to a practise that is welcoming and caring, a real family feel whenever we have visited. They have always helped immensely and quickly when it comes to insurance claims and travel documents which can be baffling. Because we’ve had such positive experiences and care we have them Reccomended many friends too who are now also patients. We feel very lucky to have such great vets if and when we need them. Thank you all x

Hayley Sessel & Syril

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